Ibadan Stampede: Police Confirm Arrest of Ooni’s Ex-wife, Naomi

 

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

This is following a tragic stampede at a children’s carnival she organized that occurred on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, and resulted in the death of 35 minors, with six others critically injured.

Police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso in a statement stated that “eight persons have since been arrested for their various involvements” in the event.”

“Among those detained are Silekunola, aged 31, and Fasasi Abdulahi, the 56-year-old principal of the school.”

“The other individuals arrested include Genesis Christopher, Tanimowo Moruf, Anisolaja Olabode, Idowu Ibrahim, and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, with ages ranging from 25 to 52 years.”

The stampede has sparked an investigation, which has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police is leading the inquiry.

Osifeso assured the public that “justice will be served accordingly” and emphasized that police patrols would be heightened in the area to maintain security and prevent unrest.

The Oyo Police Command expressed condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and encouraged residents to stay calm, offering contact numbers for emergencies.

Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde, has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of a tragic stampede that occurred at a children’s carnival in Ibadan.

A tragic incident occurred earlier today (Wednesday) at Islamic High School Basorun, Ibadan, where a stampede at an event organised for families resulted in multiple loss of lives and injuries.

Governor Seyi Makinde expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, stating that it was a very sad day for Oyo.

He sympathised with the parents whose joy had suddenly been turned to mourning due to the deaths.

The governor assured that the state government had taken immediate action to prevent further loss of lives, deploying security agents to restore order at the venue and medical personnel and ambulances to attend to the injured.

The event has been stopped, and attendees have been escorted out of the venue. The primary organisers of the event have been taken into custody, pending investigations.

Governor Makinde reassured the public that anyone found to be directly or remotely involved in the disaster would be held accountable.

He urged the public to remain calm as security agencies investigate the incident.

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